Spatially distributed laser resonator

Abstract

A distributed resonator laser system using retro-reflecting elements, in which spatially separated retroreflecting elements define respectively a power transmitting and a power receiving unit. The retroreflectors have no point of inversion, so that an incident beam is reflected back along a path essentially coincident with that of the incident beam. This enables the distributed laser to operate with the beams in a co-linear mode, instead of the ring mode described in the prior art. This feature allows the simple inclusion of elements having optical power within the distributed cavity, enabling such functions as focusing/defocusing, increasing the field of view of the system, and changing the Rayleigh length of the beam. The optical system can advantageously be constructed as a pupil imaging system, with the advantage that optical components, such as the gain medium or a photo-voltaic converter, can be positioned at such a pupil without physical limitations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for distributing optical power from a transmitter to at least one remote receiver, comprising:
 an optical system comprising at least one non flat optical component, said optical system having a pupil and generating a telecentric region, 
 a gain medium generating a beam of light, located essentially at said pupil of said optical system, such that said beam of light is transmitted through said pupil and said telecentric region; 
 a photovoltaic power converter disposed in said remote receiver, for converting said beam of light to electricity; 
 an output coupler, directing part of said light beam impinging thereon towards said photovoltaic power converter; 
 at least one retroreflector for reflecting said beam of light; 
 an optical sensor for sensing at least one of said beam's power or wavelength; and 
 a polarization manipulating optical component disposed in said optical system. 
 
     
     
       2. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is either a transmissive component or a reflective component. 
     
     
       3. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is placed at a telecentric region of said optical system. 
     
     
       4. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is configured to cause said beam to be in an essentially circular polarization state. 
     
     
       5. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is a waveplate. 
     
     
       6. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is a polarizer. 
     
     
       7. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said polarization manipulating optical component is configured to generate a loss in the intensity of said beam of light if said beam of light also traverses a transparent optical surface inserted into said beam at or close to the Brewster's angle. 
     
     
       8. A system according to  claim 7 , wherein said loss is sufficient to prevent lasing using said transparent optical surface as a laser mirror.